Velocipede



(NO Model.)

- J. KNAPP.

'VELOOIPEDE.

No. 400,090. Patented Mar. 26, 1889.

Witnesses Inventor flttorney.

u. PEYERS'PMlWl-Jilmgnphar. war-mm ma UNITED STATES PATENT JOSEPH KNAPP, or BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 400,090, dated March 26, 1889.

Application filed January 15, 1889. Serial No. 296,418. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, JOSEPH KNAPP, of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lVheeled Vehicles; and I do hereby declare that the following description of my said invention, taken in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawings, forms a full, clear, and exact specification, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has general reference to wheeled vehicles, especially that class designated bicycles and tricycles, and it consists, essentially, in the novel and peculiar col'nbination of parts and details of construction, as hereinafter to be first fully set forth and described, and then pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings already mentioned, which serve to illustrate my said invention more fully, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved bicycle. Fig. 2 is a front elevation, and Fig. 3 a plan, of the same. Fig. at is an elevation of a portion of the double-rimmed wheel, and Fig. 5 is a plan of the bridgepiece connecting the two rims.

. Like parts are designated by corresponding letters of reference in all the figures.

The object of my present invention is the production of a bicycle which shall be capable of standing unsupported in an upright position. It shall, furthermore, be more easily operated by being in more perfect balance and having a broad wheel-base. To reach this end I provide this bicycle with a main or driving wheel, A, of any suitable diameter, said wheel having two rims, 2 2, secured together by means of a series of bridge-pieces, E, connecting said rims with each other and by the spokes D with the hub 10, as clearly illustrated in the figures. This wheel is fixed upon an axle having its bearings in the lower end of a fork, B, the upper end of which terminates in a cross-piece, 11, while near this upper end there is a connecting-piece, 12, between which two pieces the end U of the backbone G is pivoted by abolt, 13, as shown in Fig. 2.

To the cross-bar 11 is secured the handle H, having the handles proper, h, in the usual manner.

To the axle of the wheel A are secured cranks 14, to which in turn are pivoted the treadles F in the usual manner, said treadles consisting, preferably, of angular rubber blocks revolving upon a central rod, 10, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

To the backbone G is aiiixed near its forward end a hinge-piece, 1S, engaging a similar piece, 20, secured to the seat K, there being, furthermore, secured to said backbone a stud-plate, 19, engaging the lower end of a spiral spring, L, while the upper end engages a stud-plate, T, fastened to the under side of the said seat near its rear end. The seat is carried by the said spiral spring L in a very simple but effective manner.

A suitable distance below the stud-plate 19 there is affixed to the backbone G a double eye, Q, between which is pivoted a suspending-rod, M, having a stop, R, bearing against the upper side of one of the eyes, and thereby keeping it in a horizontal position, said stop, however, not interfering with said rod M, being elevated when desired. The object of this red is to support a platform, N, hinged to the backbone G at P, said platform consisting of a light lattice-work or frame carried by the chain 0 and being intended to be used as a parcel-carrier and a step for mounting the bicycle in a manner readily comprehended. The lower end of the backbone is bifurcated at G and the fork extended backward a suitable distance to receive between them the trailing wheel V, said wheel being constructed with a double rim, &c., precisely the same as the front wheel,A, the details of the construction of which will hereinafter be fully set forth and described.

In the handle H there is centrally an aperture, j, Fig. 2, through which is passed the lever I of the brake, the forward end, J, of which is bifurcated and each fork provided with a shoe, 21 and 22, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3, whereby the brake is caused to act upon both rims of the wheel A by lifting the handle I of said brake-lever.

. The wheels A and V consist each of two rims, 2 2, as mentioned, connected together at suitable intervals by the bridge-pieces E, consisting each, as shown in Figs. l and 5, of two platen, 3, connected togetherby, preferably, curved crose-bnr 5, lntving centrally an eye, -.l, through which the spoke l) pnssedflocknuts (3 and 7 being employed on the outer ends 0t said spoken to tcnsi on them and se (surely fasten the pin-in in PUSlljiOll. The plates 3 have holes t by menus olf which and rivets S), Fig. 11, they are secured to the rims, but they may be brazed or otherwise SQClll'Otl to the rinni when denired. When the rims are not to be tired. with ft rubber band, they are constructed of that metal, as shown in l ign. i2 and 3, 21nd the plates 2) I} nre arranged. nceordingly; bntwhen they are tobethus tired with the rubber tire; I r, I prefer to conutruet the rims 2 i? 01? nemiirireulnr rhzinnel-iren, us Shown in Fig. 4., no thnt the rubber tires lnwinn at eireulnr wetim (jitll be sprung into the gutter-like eireuinlferenre of the rim, nnd thereby securely retained in. position.

The ndvnntegesi derived from the eoinitrnction of the bi lens described are that, the wheels being; di'iuhle-rimined, the vehicle will stund in nn erect ponition without support, thereby nnil zing it much easier l10iltl(3, l)Q sides presenting otheroln'ioue znlvztntngee.

In mounting the bieyelint steps with one foot upon the nu-eel wnrrier hi and then mounts the eel-it it, rest ing hie 'lkmt whei'iever desired upon the lnternllyirojecting eui'iport G on the tori; ll.

Having thnsi'nlly described my invention, I claim as: new and desire to secure by Letters l :Ltent of the United Martenl. The double-tired \E'litH-l A, inning the said bridge-pieces having the passage for the spokes .l), and the hub 10, as rmid for the purpose set forth.

2. In bicycles and trieycles, a main Wheel consisting of two rims connected together by a series of bridge-pieces, at single hub, and spokes, ns described, in combination with the fork I backbone G, sent K, and trailing wheel. V, the whole being constructed and condiiined as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The emnbimttion, with the for]: l3, haw ing erosspieees .l 1 12,01. the backbone (.hpivoted between said eross-pieeeS, the handle ll, having the notch j,:u1d the brake-lever I, with fork J and. brnhe-Shoes 2] 22, as and for the object stated.

4. The ('Oilllllllitllfil], with the backbone (l, of the pn reel-cnrrier N, h in gei'l to the lmckbon e til :tnd :mpported by the snp iorting-rod M, as and for the purpose mentioned.

5. The conilJinnth'm, with the 'lmckbone (l, of the hinged parcel-carrier N, summrted by the eupportiing-irol h i, having; suitable st op, it, engaging the double eye Q, nndthe chain 0, as and for the purpoee specified.

(5. 'l he Midge-pieces E, as described, connesting of the plates 53 i), crosspieec5,:u1d central eye, it, said l )ridge-piece having the spoke Ii) secured by the locking-nuts 7 R, as and for the purlmrie R01? forth.

In testimony that I claim the :loregoing as my invention 1 have hereto set my hand in the lilGlfitjllUt of two subscribingwitnesses.

JOSEPH KNAll. i-Uteet M 1( min. .I. thnuni, W n. 0. Six-w: n. 

